PUT YOUR YEARS OF CIVILIAN EXPERIENCE TO WORK – Become an Information Network Engineering (FA26)!
Are you an IT professional with experience in 5G Network Engineer, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Cloud Security, Data Engineering, Data Storage, Machine Learning, Network Engineering, Software Defined Networking, Systems Engineering or similar highly specialized IT-related career field? Are you skilled in innovating, developing, or reverse engineering network-related capabilities and technologies? Do you enjoy solving complex problems and tackling difficult technological challenges? Do you also want to serve your country? If you answered yes to these questions, you may have what it takes to become an elite member of the Regular Army, Army National Guard, or Army Reserve Signal Corps as an Area of Concentration (AOC) 26A and AOC 26B officer.
If selected, you could help build and establish the future of the Army’s Information Network capabilities and technologies as an officer in the rank of Captain through Colonel, depending on a thorough review and calculation of relevant education, training, and work experience.
WHAT IS THE FA26 DIRECT COMMISSIONING PROGRAM?
Historically, direct commissioning has been available to qualified professionals in the medical, dental, legal, and religious fields, but under this program, it’s now available to AOC 26A and 26B professionals. This program allows civilians, enlisted, and Warrant Officers from the Regular Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve with highly specialized experience and education to be directly appointed as a commissioned AOC 26A and 26B officer in the U.S. Army, performing critical roles for the Army.
WHAT WILL I DO AS A DIRECT COMMISSION FA26 OFFICER?
AOC 26A are information technology (IT) network engineers that support military operations. 26A officers enable the end-to-end transport of information through telecommunications networks via routing, switching, varying transmission mediums, and other means.
AOC 26B are IT services and applications engineers that support military operations. 26B officers implement and manage the integration and security of enterprise services such as active directory, database management, e-mail, web-based applications, and many others.
Upon selection and appointment, you will attend military schools to prepare you to serve as an Army officer: the 6-week Direct Commissioning Course (Ft. Benning, GA) and a follow on Signal leadership course (Ft. Gordon, GA). You may also receive additional training, as necessary, to prepare you for specific positions within Army Signal units.
- Must be a United States citizen; applicants in dual citizenship status are ineligible.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a TOP SECRET security clearance.
- Must have a 4-year-degree, preferably in a FA26 STEM accepted degree.
- Must possess 4 years or more of work experience.
OR
- An advanced degree, preferably in a FA26 STEM accepted degree.
- Must possess 2 years or more of work experience.
AND (For both 4-year degree and advanced degree candidates)
- Must complete an Army commissioning physical, meeting basic fitness standards, and height and weight standards for service as an Army officer.
- Prior Service candidates must have an honorable discharge to apply.
- Must complete the application packet and submit it to the Office of Chief of Signal.
NOTE: You will compete against other qualified applicants to fill specific operational requirements or critical needs. The process may take a few months to complete, but a representative will inform you of the status of your application at key points during the screening and selection process.
WHAT RELEVANT FA26 WORK EXPERIENCE SHOULD I POSSESS?
For the Regular Army, National Guard, or Reserves, current requirements exist for experienced personnel to fill with the following work roles:
Network Systems Engineer (26A)
Must have a 4-year-degree, preferably in a FA26 STEM accepted degree and possess 4 years of work experience, or an advanced degree preferably in a FA26 STEM accepted degree and possess 2 years of work experience.
Related fields are:
- 5G / Cellular Network Engineer
- Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
- Data Engineer
- Software-Defined Networking
The following are preferred certifications, but not required:
- CCNA Certification or higher
- CEH
- CISSP
Information Systems Engineer (26B)
Must have a 4-year-degree, preferably in a FA26 STEM accepted degree and possess 4 years of work experience, or an advanced degree preferably in a FA26 STEM accepted degree and possess 2 years of work experience.
Related fields are:
- Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
- Cloud Architect
- Cloud Computing
- Cloud Security
- Data Analysts
- Data Architect
- Database Administrators
- Data Engineering
- Data Scientist
- Server Administrator
The following are preferred certifications, but not required:
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Higher
- AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty
- AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty
- AWS Certified Database - Specialty
- AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty
- Azure Data Engineer Associate
- CISM
- CISSP
- DASCA Associate Big Data Engineer
- Google Professional Data Engineer
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
- Security+
Education: Must have a four-year or two-year advanced degree, preferably in a FA26 STEM accepted degree or in Cloud and/or Data Engineering.
